Gamma-interferon induced human keratinocyte HLA-DR synthesis: the role of dermal activated T lymphocytes.

Experiments were performed to examine the hypothesis that the surface expression of HLA-DR by keratinocytes in certain disease states is conferred by the activity of gamma-interferon, derived from dermal activated T lymphocytes. In vivo studies revealed a spatial relationship between keratinocyte HLA-DR expression and activated T lymphocytes within the dermal inflammatory infiltrate. In vitro studies confirmed that gamma-interferon can induce keratinocyte synthesis of HLA-DR. These results suggest that, in vivo, gamma-interferon produced by activated T lymphocytes induces keratinocyte HLA-DR synthesis and expression.